Posts Tagged courage

As my desire to blossom arrived, I flourished. No longer fearing the journey it takes to truly open and unfold. Deeply I breathe in as my breath is taken away. I found my voice, yet even as it lay dormant in the quiet. As I stumbled in the sometimes darkness and fell, Standing back up brushing off the bruisesI knew I had found my way. ~ Anais Nin

This is Jesus’ response to a question posed by a man named Nicodemus. Historically, we do not know much about Nicodemus other than he was well-educated, wise and curious. Jesus is contrasting “spiritual rebirth” with “physical” birth. Spiritual rebirth means leaving an old life of “sin” and starting a new life in the Kingdom of God.” It is also, abandoning an “old” identity for a “new” one.

Nicodemus next question, “How can a man be born when he is old?,”prompted this post. Poet (Ruth Carter Bourdon) offers the perfect answer:

START OVER! When you’ve trusted God and walked His way When you’ve felt His hand lead you day by day But your steps now take you another way . . .Start Over! When you’ve made your plans and they’ve gone awry When you’ve tried your best and there’s no more try When you’ve failed yourself and you don’t know why . . .Start Over! When you’ve told your friends what you plan to do When you’ve trusted them and they didn’t come through And you’re all alone and it’s up to you . . .Start Over! When you’ve failed your kids and they’re grown and gone When you’ve done your best but it’s turned out wrong And now your grandchildren have come along . . .Start Over! When you’ve prayed to God so you’ll know His will When you’ve prayed and prayed and you don’t know still When you want to stop cause you’ve had your fill . . .Start Over! When you think you’re finished and want to quit When you’ve bottomed out in life’s deepest pit When you’ve tried and tried to get out of itStart Over! When the year has been long and successes few When December comes and you’re feeling blue God gives a January just for you . . .Start Over! Starting over means “Victories Won” Starting over means “A Race Well Run” Starting over means “God’s Will Done” Don’t just sit there . . .Start Over!!

Prayer: Gracious God, Help us to understand that living is seldom easy, comfortable, or trouble-free–it simply “is what it is.” May we see the beauty in all of God’s creation. May we savor the sweet “freshness” of each new day. But most of all, give us endless hope and the strength (no matter the challenges) to always begin again. For thy Son’s sake we pray. Amen